Title
Resolution to Support Carbon Fee and Dividend Plan
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor recognizes the serious threat posed by climate change, and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint;
Whereas, On December 17, 2012, the Ann Arbor City Council adopted the Ann Arbor Climate Action Plan that identifies steps to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet current short-term goals, and to set mid- and long-range targets for emissions reductions into the future;
Whereas, Fossil fuel consumption accounts for more than 60% of GHG emissions in the U.S. [source: EPA];
Whereas, Experts from climate science and economics assert that a carbon price is one of those most effective and realistic potential methods for reducing GHG emissions;
Whereas, A carbon fee aims to account for the societal cost of carbon pollution;
Whereas, The Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is a widely recognized organization advocating for a national carbon price;
Whereas, The Citizens’ Climate Lobby calls for a plan in which a carbon fee is imposed on all fossil fuels at the point where they first enter the economy. The fee is then returned to American households in the form of a dividend;
Whereas, The dividend component makes that plan revenue neutral, and studies have found that a carbon fee that is directly rebated in equal shares provides a net financial benefit to a majority of households with the greatest benefit going to the lowest income quintile; and
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Energy Commission supports the effort by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby to institute a national Carbon Fee and Dividend;
RESOLVED, The Ann Arbor City Council formally supports a Carbon Fee and Dividend Policy;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Clerk will send copies of this resolution to Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL), the Climate Leadership Council (CLC), U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, and U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell; and
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council directs the City Administrator devise a plan to effectively advocate the Carbon Fee and Dividend Plan and describe actionable efforts the City can take to get that plan adopted.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Frenzel and Smith
As amended by Ann Arbor City Council on August 21, 2017